Vehicle-Mounted Hard Shoulder Detection for Real-Time Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing clearance on a hard shoulder of a road require manual operation and are prone to errors, necessitating costly maintenance of stationary sensors and lacking real-time responsiveness.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system utilizing vehicle-mounted detection devices such as cameras, radar, or lidar sensors transmits data to a central electronic computing device for automated determination of occupancy states, merging data from multiple vehicles to verify and provide clearance based on decision criteria, including traffic volume and confidence levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation with stationary sensors is used for hard shoulder monitoring, then the system can detect occupancy states, but the system is prone to errors and requires costly maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The motor vehicles themselves perform the monitoring function using their own mounted detection devices. Each vehicle independently detects the hard shoulder occupancy state and transmits this information to the central computing device, eliminating the need for separate stationary sensor infrastructure and its associated maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection devices mounted on motor vehicles serve dual purposes: they are used for the vehicle's own navigation and environmental awareness, and simultaneously for the centralized hard shoulder monitoring system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated monitoring infrastructure.
2Productivity
If manual clearance operation is used, then an operator can review sensor data and give final clearance, but the system lacks real-time responsiveness and is prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from multiple motor vehicles about hard shoulder occupancy states and automatically processes this information in real-time. The central computing device continuously updates clearance status based on incoming data, enabling rapid response to changing conditions without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual operational process is replaced with an automated electronic decision-making system. The central computing device automatically evaluates occupancy state data against decision criteria and generates clearance decisions without human operator intervention, eliminating human error and enabling real-time processing.
3Measurement precision
If stationary sensors such as cameras and radars are deployed for hard shoulder detection, then occupancy can be monitored, but the system requires costly maintenance and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The motor vehicles perform the detection function using their own existing detection devices mounted on the vehicles. This eliminates the need for installation and maintenance of stationary detection infrastructure while maintaining detection capability through the vehicles' own sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the need for permanent stationary sensor infrastructure by utilizing the mobile detection devices on vehicles. The detection function is recovered and relocated to the moving vehicles, which naturally traverse the monitoring area without requiring fixed installation.
4Reliability
If a single vehicle's detection data is used for clearance decisions, then the system is simple to operate, but the reliability of the clearance decision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges detection data from multiple motor vehicles to form a comprehensive view of hard shoulder occupancy. By combining information from multiple independent sources, the system achieves higher reliability in clearance decisions while maintaining the simplicity of individual vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-vehicle perspective to multi-vehicle comprehensive monitoring by adding the dimension of multiple data sources. This dimensional expansion provides redundancy and cross-validation, improving decision reliability without complicating individual vehicle functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables automated, error-free, and real-time clearance decisions, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing safety by leveraging vehicle data for accurate and responsive hard shoulder management.
Implementation Method 1
the hard shoulder is detected by means of at least one detection device in the form of a camera or a radar, lidar, or ultrasound sensor
Implementation Method 2
the hard shoulder is detected by means of at least one detection device in the form of a camera or a radar, lidar, or ultrasound sensor
Implementation Method 3
the hard shoulder is detected by means of at least one detection device in the form of a camera or a radar, lidar, or ultrasound sensor
Implementation Method 4
the hard shoulder is detected by means of at least one detection device in the form of a camera or a radar, lidar, or ultrasound sensor
Implementation Method 5
Stationary sensors such as induction loops, pivotable cameras, radars, and lasers are used for this purpose
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a clearance for use of a hard shoulder of a road for motor vehicles involves detecting the hard shoulder using a detection device and an occupancy state of the hard shoulder is determined based on the basis of the detection. The clearance using the hard shoulder is provided based on the occupancy state and a decision criterion by means of a motor-vehicle-external, central electronic computing device of the monitoring system. The hard shoulder is detected by at least one detection device of a motor vehicle travelling on the road and the detected hard shoulder is transmitted to the central electronic computing device for evaluation. The occupancy state regarding at least one dynamic object on the hard shoulder is determined.